Bring the airy essence of New England home

Red detailing and bits of cobalt highlight the cool white-and-blue palette inspired by the easy living of New England.

Photograph by: Brendan Barre
, Vancouver Sun

Hell mend us, we're so in the mood for a holiday. Based in Britain these last three weeks (professionally, but with a little familial R&R), we've been plotting travel plans, which we hope to roll out this summer.

Part of the fun of our North American base is the ease with which we can travel to wonderful destinations on very short flights. From Britain, get-ting anywhere (other than mainland Europe) is a drag with flights to Florida or the Dominican Republic taking nine hours each, and flights to Mexico consuming a whopping 11 hours.

Being that we already spend much of our time on an elastic trajectory between Canada and Britain, we like our other jaunts to be quick flights before touching down on our next adventure. Wherever we're heading, we always hope to discover, in equal measure, interesting design, architectural merit and a friendly populous. Ticking all these boxes is New Eng-land; positioned in the United State's northeastern corner, New England is an amalgam of six beautiful states (Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut) and a destination that provides designers with inspiration.

To whet your appetites, here's a look at one of our previous projects, a domestic scheme which captures the airy essence of New England.

FLOOR PLAN

Our scheme is all about fresh, open concept. This in mind, we removed the cupboard that occupied the area to the left of the dining zone which immediately made the room's overall foot-print larger. Note the ladder storage that divides the space; the side struts of this are solid beams which add vital support to the ceiling. These were originally concealed within the cup-board, but now exposed - and with the addition of step shelves - they provide the framework for display.

CARPET

The previous carpet, worn by years of excess, couldn't be saved so we bit the bullet and pulled it away, hoping that underneath we'd discover original timber flooring. Sadly, this wasn't to be, so our solution was a full refit of lumber, chosen to withstand the traffic of subsequent years. To bolster our emerging scheme, we specified bright, pickled timber, a product which appears worn by the passage of time and one which helps bounce light around the newly opened space.

WALL TRANSFORMATION

To further evoke the spirit of clap-board homes, we installed simple tongue and groove wall panels from Home Depot. Product like this is a boon if the surface over which you plan laying it is in any way imperfect. It covers a multitude of sins. We painted the panels a fresh, washy white and added punctuation, above, with softest baby blue. Blue and white is a fabulous decorating combo and, while also popular in France (think ticking fabrics and antique striped linen) and Portugal (imagine Algarve tiling and cobalt ceramics), it's a colour pairing which we reckon works best in the homes that pepper New England. Played against golden tones of sandy beaches, antique furniture and rattan detailing, it seldom fails to deliver.

SHUTTERS

A classic allusion to New England, shutters are a surefire way to inform your home with a holiday vibe. They're not inexpensive, but their tailored esthetic will transcend time and 'future proof' your real estate. In addition to installing shutters on the main window elevation, we also positioned them in the drywall that backs on to the staircase.

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are two clothing designers we've long since admired with flair that's particularly relevant today. Lauren, having made the transition from fashion to home interiors, is totally on trend as far as the New England dictum is concerned, and Hilfiger couldn't be any hotter; his outdoorsy casual cut typifies the look.

Did we say New Hampshire? Okay, how about Cape Cod? You're sit-ting on a steamer chair and the cool Atlantic breeze is wafting around you. Behind you, as you float in and out of consciousness, candles flicker gently, their waxy scents suffusing the relaxed atmosphere. To ensnare a little of this holiday magic, pop candles in storm lanterns, group them at table height or secrete them in glass wall sconces to imbue proceedings with a soft, welcoming glow. And try ceiling lights that evoke pastoral days and easy living. Our ceiling fixtures are basically upturned glass domes set on a brass chain; sure, they're simple, but they're thoroughly effective.

Only time will tell whether we make it, this summer, to America's north-easterly corner, but one thing's for sure; reacquaintance with the area's decorating style has established in us a renewed vigour for all things pure and lovely.

For further inspiration, go sink your teeth - with our blessing - into Living In New England, a beautifully photographed coffee table tome by Solvi Dos Santos (published by Con-ran Octopus). Packed with effortlessly cool homes and gardens, you'll weep as you turn the pages.

Happy flipping!

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV's Colin & Justin's Home Heist and the authors of Colin & Justin's Home Heist Style Guide, published by Penguin Group (Canada). Follow them on Twitter @colinjustin or on Facebook (ColinandJustin). Contact them through their website, www.colinandjustin.tv.

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